PNG Open for Business, Marape Tells Investors in Brisbane

Prime Minister James Marape has declared Papua New Guinea open for business as he officially opened the 2026 PNG Investment Conference in Brisbane on Monday.

The two-day event, hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 10 to 11, has drawn close to 300 delegates from across the business, investment and development sectors, all eyeing opportunities in the country.

 PNG Open for Business, Marape Tells Investors in Brisbane

Organised annually by Business Advantage International, the conference has run for 14 years and remains one of the key platforms linking PNG businesses with Australian and international investors looking to enter the market.

According to the Prime Minister, his presence at the conference was meant to send a clear signal that his Government is serious about attracting foreign capital and forging stronger commercial ties with Australia and beyond.

"Papua New Guinea and Australia share a strong and enduring relationship," he said. "We want to continue strengthening the economic dimension of that relationship by encouraging greater investment, trade and business-to-business partnerships."

The PM said he intended to use his address to brief investors on the state of the national economy, the progress of major resource developments, and reforms his Government is rolling out to make the country more attractive for business.

"We have enormous opportunities across mining, petroleum and LNG, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, infrastructure, financial services, construction and ICT, and we welcome genuine investors who want to partner with Papua New Guinea," he said.

Beyond resources and infrastructure, this year's conference will also turn its attention to emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and workforce development, with infrastructure taking centre stage on day two.